Jetsettersblog

Overseas wedding website Marry Abroad has launched a new wedding directory aimed at couples who are undecided as to where in the world they wish to get married.

A separate entity to the main website, the directory will enable all wedding professionals to advertise for free, and gives couples a further resource to find their perfect wedding planner.

Charlotte Hand from Marry Abroad says “we thought this was a great way to provide free promotion for our wedding providers in these difficult times, and to provide an additional service which complements the main website.”

“With the recent fall of the sterling exchange rate couples who are planning their wedding now need to be flexible as to what they can afford. Looking at a wide choice of wedding provider may well be the answer, and the Marry Abroad directory can certainly provide that.”

Predictions that holidaymakers will be flocking to Mexico and Turkey in 2009 due to good exchange rates with sterling mean that wedding ceremonies held in those countries for non-locals will probably soar as well. Understandably, taking the time to choose a ceremony in a country which offers a beneficial exchange rate can take hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds off a wedding. Having as much information at your fingertips can only help couples decide on a ceremony and location that’s suitable for their requirements.

Payment for the directory will be made in two ways; by the bridal couple purchasing the directory and contacting advertisers directly; or by the couple requesting contact by certain wedding professionals, at a cost per lead to the advertiser. Wedding professionals who join the directory will not feature on the main website, but will have the option to join at favourable rates.

For more details, or to join please email directory@marryabroad.co.uk

The new look Quamby homestead lodge, nearby to Launceston, opened its first rooms in the first week of October 08. Built in the 1830s, Quamby is owned by Anthology, the same company which owns the Bay of Fires Walk. Recently renovated, Quamby has reopened with five rooms available to guests while Tasmanian heritage architect David Denman and interior designers Pike Withers are working on the restoration of the homestead wings and out buildings.

When complete in mid 2009, there will be 17 rooms at this luxury lodge. A double superior room costs A$125 (approx £55) per person per night (including breakfast). www.quambyestate.com

For more information about Australia visit www.australia.com

Tailor-made natural history specialists Wildlife Worldwide offer a NEW 14-day holiday in the Malaysian provinces of Sarawak and Sabah on the island of Borneo, focusing on flora and fauna of the world’s oldest rainforests. Explore Bako National Park, Mount Kinabalu, Kinabatangan River and Danum Valley, then get hands-on at Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary and Turtle Islands Marine Park – Sabah Wildlife Special departs London daily – available NOW!

From Kuala Lumpur an initial night is spent in Kuching before transferring to Bako National Park. Explore the park’s spectacular coastal scenery and teeming rainforests – host to abundant wildlife including Proboscis Monkey, Long-tailed Macaques and Silver Langurs. Continue to Kinabalu National Park and spectacular Mount Kinabalu – Borneo’s highest point (4,101m). Staying in the moist evergreen forests on its high slopes, guests have a unique opportunity to search for numerous plant, bird and mammal species. Up to 6,000 plant species occur on the mountain including over 1,000 orchid species, along with over 600 species of butterfly and some 320 bird species.

At higher altitudes, look out for endemic Kinabalu Friendly Warbler and Mountain Blackbird, as well as Blue Earthworms or Giant Kinabalu Red Leech – and after dark, keep watch for endemic Kinabalu Forest Gecko.

Next, enjoy close encounters with orphaned Orang-utans during twice-daily feeding sessions at Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary, internationally renowned for its rehabilitation work in Sepilok Forest. As well as charismatic apes, the reserve’s 43km² of primary lowland rainforest also offers excellent forest boardwalks – great for birdwatching and keeping an eye out for various snakes and frogs.

From the coast, a short boat ride to Selingan Island allows an opportunity to swim and snorkel by day and to watch egg-laying Green turtles on the beach by night – also the chance to assist the release of baby turtles into the sea. At Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, situated on the Kinabatangan River, explore the mosaic of riparian forest, oxbow lakes, nipah swamp and mangroves by boat and on foot.

The area is home to a diverse concentration of wildlife including Orang-utan, Proboscis Monkey and Bornean Pygmy Elephant, a vast array of bird species including hornbills, along with numerous reptiles and amphibians. Later, search for Sabah’s ten species of primate (including Orang-utan), Asian Elephant, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Clouded Leopard and Malay Sun Bear during guided walks amongst some of Danum Valley’s 438km² lowland rainforest, before returning to Kuala Lumpur for homeward flights.

The tour costs from £3,095 p/p including scheduled international and domestic flights (MH), transfers, hotel, chalet and jungle lodge accommodation, most meals and guided activities.

Wildlife Worldwide
0845 130 6982
sales@wildlifeworldwide.com
www.wildlifeworldwide.com

Hong Kong’s 8th Estate Winery opened its doors on Saturday 29 November 2008 selling white, red and dessert wine varietals.

Only months after the local government abolished taxes on imported wine, Hong Kong now has a fully functional wine production facility that imports grapes specially selected from some of the best growing regions of the world. Upon arrival in Hong Kong, the production begins the traditional way: pressing, fermenting, ageing and overall gentle development of each wine.

As a boutique winery (it will have a limited run of 8,300 cases per year), the 8th Estate aims to present consistent, high quality wines with the unique attributes and tastes that only hand-made, locally produced wines can offer.

Each bottle produced will be labelled as a product of Hong Kong and will specify where the grapes were grown. For the 2007 reserve, the majority of the grapes were sourced from the high desert country of eastern Washington State, USA; in 2008, the 8th Estate has paired its selections, combining extraordinary Italian grapes with several stunning Washington varietals.

The 8th Estate will also be hosting public tours, with its Italian winemaker personally conducting tastings and answering questions.

Hong Kong is now set to become the third wine trading hub globally, after London and New York. Since the abolition of import duty in February 2008, the price of wine in Hong Kong has fallen by 20 per cent and imports of wine have soared by 78 per cent, according to government sources.

For further information on the 8th Estate please visit www.the8estatewinery.com

 For more information on visiting Hong Kong please go to www.discoverhongkong.com

Members of Palazzo Tornabuoni, the world’s first Palace Residence Club, will be ushered into Florentine society when the doors opened in January 2009.

Guests will have access to the exclusive Palazzo Attaché who will provide travelers with authentic, customized and enriching experiences in Florence and throughout Tuscany – reviving the spirit of the palazzo’s former life as the hub of creative, philosophical, musical and international gatherings.

Eleanora Lucifero and Natasha Garland serve as Attaches for Palazzo Tornabuoni. Ms. Lucifero’s background as a native Florentine with noble roots, places her in a unique position to unlock the doors of Florence to provide unparalleled access to its most celebrated residents, attractions and experiences. Ms. Garland has valuable experience, having written for Time Out travel guides highlighting Tuscany, as well as managing and providing concierge services for Exclusive Resorts for the past three years.

The Palazzo Attaché will create custom experiences to meet members’ interests in addition to offering exclusive experiences for groups of members. The Attaches may organize local chefs for private cooking lessons, horseback rides through the private country estates of local families or a spot on the scaffolding with local art restorers at work on Giotto’s frescos at Santa Croce. Palazzo Tornabuoni’s members will enjoy unprecedented access to Tuscany that is customized to individual tastes.

Palazzo Tornabuoni  opened in January 2009 with 36 unique residences (studios, and 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms) for 288 Members.

 The palace served as a former papal residence, home to Pope Leo XI. Palazzo Tornabuoni other past residents include many of Florence’s ruling families, such as the Corsi, Tornabuoni and Medici.

The Palazzo is managed by The Four Seasons.

The $8 million Seaspray Resort & Spa will open this month along a stretch of untouched beach on the Capricorn Coast in Central Queensland.

The four-and-a-half star resort, designed by renowned Queensland architects Donovan Hill, includes 49 self-contained two and three bedroom deluxe apartments with spacious balconies and open-plan living areas.

Stage one of the resort consisting of 17 apartments opens early December.

Set among 61 hectares of National Park, the resort features a licensed restaurant, Coco’s @ Seaspray, a state-of-the-art Rec Club with 25-metre lap pool and separate resort pool, gymnasium and crèche.

 The resort’s day spa will open early next year.

Guests can choose from a wide range of activities including tennis, golf, mountain biking, belly dancing, yoga, line dancing, sea kayaking or simply exploring kilometres of open beaches between Seaspray’s location at Zilzie and Yeppoon.

Ph (07) 4925 4180

or visit www.seasprayresort.com.au

Aviation enthusiasts will fly into Bundaberg this month for the grand opening of the new Hinkler Hall of Aviation.

More than just a museum, the Hinkler Hall of Aviation is Australia’s latest tourist attraction and aviation adventure experience which celebrates pioneer solo aviator Bert Hinkler (who was born in Bundaberg) and the wonders of aviation innovation, spirit and adventure. A soaring exhibition hall in the shape of a giant aircraft wing features a multi-media exhibit, a flight simulator, ‘Globe Theatre’, five display aircrafts and the historic Hinkler House – Bert Hinkler’s original London homestead which was brought back to Bundaberg and restored brick by brick to its original glory.

The Hinkler Hall of Aviation is situated in the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens and will be open daily from 8th December 2008 from 9am to 4pm.

 Entry cost is $15 for adults, and special concessional and group tour rates apply.

Ph: (07) 4130 4400 or visit www.hinklerhallofaviation.com

Queensland is celebrating its 150th birthday next year and RACQ has developed a new website listing the State’s top 150 experiences.

The 150mustdos.com.au website is packed with information on the best locations, events and experiences Queensland has to offer, complete with interactive competitions, videos and voting updates on the campaign.

Ranging from world-renowned attractions to hidden gems and local secrets, the final list of 150 nominees for Queensland’s ultimate experience was compiled by RACQ and Tourism Queensland.

The list was selected from more than 600 suggestions from regional tourism organisations and local governments around the State and represents a diverse range of locations, events and activities. Everyone can vote for their favourite must-do experience by visiting the 150mustdos.com.au website.

 Voting runs until January 31, with the ultimate must-do to be announced on February 28, 2009.

Visit www.150mustdos.com.au

 or www.queenslandholidays.com.au

Jump on a quadracycle, bicycle, or aquachopper to explore Town of 1770 and Agnes Water from a new perspective with Street Beat Cycle Hire.

Street Beat Cycle Hire is the latest tourist attraction to hit this popular Central Queensland region, providing visitors with a new way to zip around town. The bright red, two and four seat ‘Roadster’ cycles, cost between $15 and $20 per person to hire for four hours.

All riders must wear a helmet and stick to the road rules of a normal bicycle. After picking up your quadracycle from Agnes Water, why not pop down to Town of 1770 to hop on one of Street Beat’s aquachoppers?

Three oversized buoyant wheels keep your aquachopper afloat, while you pedal and steer like a normal bicycle to explore the estuaries and Round Hill Creek in a fun, safe environment.

 Boasting the northernmost surf beaches in Queensland and easy access to the jewels of the Southern Great Barrier Reef, the stunning coastal areas of Agnes Water and Town of 1770 offer holiday-makers the best of both worlds.

Ph: 0402 520 930

or visit www.street-beat.com.au

The new Coral Sea Ecojet Safari offers visitors the chance to explore the waterways near Cape Gloucester Eco Resort north of Airlie Beach by jet ski.

The interpretive, eco-friendly tours travel to Edgecumbe and Hideaway Bays and provide guests with the chance to see up close the wonderful wildlife and natural beauty of the region, including turtles, dugong, tropical fish and fringing coral reefs.

 The half-day tours depart Airlie Beach twice daily and include hire of the jet ski, snorkelling gear, lunch, transfers between the resort and Airlie Beach, and use of all amenities at Cape Gloucester Eco Resort.

The tours take a maximum of 15 people and children are welcome (however under 16s must be accompanied by an adult).

 The tours aim to educate guests about the importance of preserving the fragile reefs for future generations.

www.coralseaecojetsafari.com.au